China poised for rapid LNG expansion

New and existing domestic players are investing in regasification infrastructure to help meet surging demand

China will commission an unprecedented amount of new LNG receiving capacity in the coming years amid fast-growing demand and the opening-up of the country’s gas market. The official launch of state-owned PipeChina in September 2020 emboldened several smaller energy companies to enter the industry. As a result, some 28 projects with a combined capacity of 82.8mn t/yr are under construction, according to data compiled by Petroleum Economist. Included in the growing list of new smaller players seizing on PipeChina’s reforms is China Urban Rural Energy (Cure), a subsidiary of state-run China Communications Construction Company Group. Cure signed cooperation agreements with Shandong Petroleum &am